Eagles welcome Monday game

Eagles welcome Monday game - The West Australian

West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett believes the club's Monday night match against Richmond on WA Day will become a permanent part of the AFL calendar and the timeslot could be used to showcase a western derby.

The Eagles will play their first WA Day game next season, with the clash against Richmond beginning at 5.40pm so it can be beamed into the Eastern States in prime time.

WAFL clubs are upset that West Coast will be playing on a day which has traditionally been reserved for derbies between East Perth and West Perth along with South Fremantle and East Fremantle in front of bumper crowds.

Nisbett said there was no reason why fans couldn't attend both games, and suggested a third derby could be added to WA Day.

"We would have liked a derby on that day," Nisbett said.

"It would have been perfect for WA. But it doesn't work out always the way you want it.

"That's an option. It's a bit difficult to do it because it's in the middle of the season. It's probably harder to do it that way."

Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said the club preferred playing derbies near the start and finish of seasons and wouldn't push to play on Monday night.

West Coast also have a Thursday night home game, against Essendon, and host North Melbourne on a Friday night, giving the club several stand alone matches.

Nisbett said the club had been trying to add a marquee game to the calendar and revealed the AFL had been keen for a match on WA Day for a long time.

Nisbett described West Coast's draw as "fair", but admitted the club faced several big challenges.

The Eagles have eight six-day breaks, which is the equal most of any team.